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DuPont will pay Monsanto more than $1.7 billion over 10 years and gain licenses for two soybean modified crop traits in a deal that ends patent litigation between the companies. "This signals a new approach to our companies doing business together, allowing two of the leaders in the industry to focus on bringing farmers the best products possible while working to advance innovation and long-term opportunity for agriculture," said Monsanto President Brett Begemann.

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Monsanto plans to invest more than $1 billion to expand its manufacturing facility in Luling, La., to accommodate the production of the herbicide dicamba. "Over the next decade ... this holds the potential to further diversify our [agriculture] productivity segment and provide a source of growth longer term," said Monsanto President Brett Begemann.

High-oleic, trans fat-free oil from soybeans developed by Monsanto and DuPont Pioneer may bolster the image of the biotechnology industry in light of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent proposed ban on trans fatty acids, experts say. The United Soybean Board is investing $60 million to develop and market the genetically modified soybeans in an effort to regain market share lost to canola and palm oils, after the FDA began requiring artificial trans fats to be included on food labels in 2003. Both companies' beans block the conversion of oleic fatty acid into linoleic acid, and Monsanto's beans also have lower levels of saturated fats.

U.S. biotech giant Monsanto said the Indian government should decide the fate of biotech food crops based on scientific evidence. India should give farmers and consumers the choice to use and consume biotech crops, said Monsanto President and Chief Commercial Officer Brett Begemann. "I have absolutely no reservation about consuming GM crops. That product has been thoroughly tested," he said.

DuPont and Monsanto have entered into a multiyear licensing agreement, bringing a patent dispute to an end. Monsanto will receive $1.75 billion or more in royalties over a decade from DuPont in exchange for rights to Roundup technology for use in soybeans.

Scientists at the University of Maryland have developed a polymer hydrogel that can take on at least three shapes, depending on the triggering agent. The discovery could lead to the development of increasingly complex shape-shifting materials that might one day activate robotic devices or drug delivery systems.